Hayk had disappeared from Anna’s sight. Anna was not his nanny, but over time she had developed an instinct to protect him. After searching for him for quite a while, she decided, as a last resort, to check his office — and only after that allow herself to truly worry.

  Hayk was in his office. More precisely, he was slouched in his chair.

  Anna looked at the nearly empty decanter of whiskey in front of him and carefully tried to understand what had happened.

  “Hayk, is everything alright?” she asked, slowly approaching.

  “I don’t know what ‘alright’ means, but… probably,” he replied, studying his glass as he finished the last of the whiskey.

  “Did something happen?” Anna continued gently.

  “Yes. A damned dress happened,” Hayk said, half irritated.

  “Hayk, I honestly don’t understand,” Anna said more firmly now, realizing caution wasn’t helping.

  “Well… how do I put this… I kissed Arevik in the garden,” Hayk said, restraining himself, watching Anna closely. He was trying to read the scale of the problem in her eyes.

  “Oh… That’s unexpected,” Anna said calmly, without showing emotion.

  Receiving no condemnation, Hayk continued:

  “I wanted to thank her, and I don’t know how it happened that we… well…” he began to justify himself like an eighteen-year-old boy.

  “Was it just a kiss?” Anna asked, understanding that a single kiss wouldn’t have unsettled him like this.

  “There was something more,” Hayk said, lowering his head as if preparing to continue.

  “No details,” Anna interrupted.

  “It’s not what you’re thinking,” Hayk added quickly.

  “What is the real problem?” she asked.

  “Arevik got scared by my behavior and ran away,” Hayk said, looking at Anna again.

  Now she’s going to say it, he thought.

  “What are you feeling right now?” Anna asked unexpectedly.

  Hayk did not expect that question. He was sure Anna would reproach him and then they would find a solution together. He hadn’t even considered his own feelings.

  “What are you going to do next?” she continued, looking him straight in the eyes. “Do you regret what you did? Or…”

  Hayk was confused. He wanted to say he did not regret it, but panic tightened around him. He didn’t know what would happen if he admitted that he cared about Arevik. What frightened him was exactly that — the “after.”

  He turned away.

  “I regret it. I shouldn’t have done it,” he said.

  “Good,” Anna replied and left the office.

  A few minutes later she returned with a document in her hand and held it out to Hayk.

  “What is this?” he asked.

  “A confidentiality agreement. It protects you legally,” Anna explained. “You will invite her on Monday, say it was a misunderstanding, and ask her to sign this.”

  “We have such a document?” Hayk asked, surprised. “Is it necessary?”

  “Yes. And the sooner, the better,” Anna answered strictly. “I suggest you go home. There have been enough adventures for today.”

  “As you say, boss,” Hayk tried to joke.

  “I’m leaving, Hayk. Good night. See you on Monday,” Anna said, heading toward the door.

  “Good night, Anna. You’re very strict with me today,” Hayk said, lowering his head like someone who had done something wrong.

  Anna paused for a moment.

  “You’re being unfair… to her,” she added after a pause, “and to yourself.”

  And she left without waiting for a response.

  Hayk froze. Anna’s words pierced him. He had been thinking the same thing. But the idea that he might have lost control and given in to emotion was unacceptable to him.

  I can’t run this institution guided by emotions, he thought.

  Perhaps everything would have been softer if not for that last moment. Arevik’s final look would not leave his mind.

  “Damned dress…” Hayk muttered quietly.

  Startled by the sound of his own voice, he stood up, placed the glass beside the decanter, informed the driver he was leaving, and went home.

  He took a shower. Lying in bed, he no longer saw Arevik’s frightened face before his eyes — instead, he saw the moment when they were kissing and holding each other.

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  Involuntarily, he smiled.

  Half-asleep, his reason retreated, giving way to emotion. And unexpectedly, he realized that in that moment, he had been happy.

  With that thought, Hayk fell asleep — with a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his face.

  The weekend had never felt so unbearably long to Arevik as it did this time. She was eagerly awaiting the start of the workday — to see him and, finally, to find out what the future held.

  She imagined a future with Hayk because she was certain that he felt something for her.

  "A man who cares cannot be so warm and emotional," she thought, recalling their dance and kiss.

  Even the fact that Hayk hadn’t contacted her all weekend, Arevik excused him — he was probably just very busy.

  On Monday morning, she went to work in high spirits. She hadn’t dressed up particularly, but she shone from within, as if lighting up the space around her.

  At the office, Gayane announced that Arevik was to be called to the director at the end of the day. Arevik asked no unnecessary questions. In her mind, everything was unfolding exactly as it should.

  The day passed in anticipation. She worked, went out to the garden during her break to help Grisha, and by the end of the day, she made her way to Hayk’s main office.

  The secretary, as always, responded immediately when Arevik entered.

  “Hello, I was called to see the director,” Arevik said with a faint smile.

  “Yes, I know. He has a visitor right now. Please wait a moment — as soon as he’s free, you can come in,” the secretary replied, indicating a chair.

  “Very well,” Arevik said softly.

  Before sitting down, she couldn’t resist glancing toward the office. What she saw made her uneasy.

  Hayk looked grim. Irritation, almost anger, was written in his gaze. The gentle, smiling man she knew was gone.

  Her smile slowly faded. She nervously clenched her fingers, trying to suppress the growing sense of foreboding.

  A few minutes later, the man in the office left, his face red and eyes wide with fear. Hayk watched him leave, and that’s when he noticed Arevik.

  She rose slightly, preparing to approach, but seeing his gaze shift to the secretary, she lowered herself back into the chair.

  A few minutes later, she was invited inside.

  “Come in, Arevik. You may sit or stand — whichever is more comfortable,” Hayk said in an official tone. “I won’t take much of your time.”

  “With your permission, I’ll stand,” she replied, feeling the tension of the moment.

  Hayk sat at his desk, lowered his head, and stared at the document in his hand. Silence filled the room.

  Arevik didn’t understand what was happening and didn’t know how to behave.

  Finally, Hayk broke the silence and placed the document in front of her.

  “As I said, I won’t take much of your time,” he said without raising his eyes. “I want to apologize for my behavior at the party.”

  He tried to look at her but immediately turned away. Arevik stared at him intently, trying to process what she had heard.

  “An apology?” she repeated, not believing her ears.

  “Yes. I behaved inappropriately. It was wrong on my part. I apologize,” Hayk said. After a brief pause, he added: “I probably drank too much and lost control. I’m sorry.”

  Arevik froze. Her fingers gripped the edge of the desk in panic — it felt as if the ground had vanished beneath her. All her hopes and feelings collapsed in an instant. She felt foolish for having believed for so long in the possibility of their future.

  Silence fell again.

  Hayk, as if wanting to bring the matter to a close as quickly as possible, placed his hand on the document.

  “I hope we can resolve this matter like adults,” he said.

  “Of course,” Arevik barely managed to say, her voice trembling.

  “Thank you for understanding,” Hayk said, sliding the document closer to her. “I ask you to sign it.”

  When Arevik took the document, Hayk abruptly walked to the window and stood with his back to her, hands in his pockets.

  She quickly read through the text — and understood what it meant. If before this everything had seemed like a painful misunderstanding, this document struck at her pride completely. Tears flowed uncontrollably.

  Hayk standing with his back to her slightly eased the situation — he could not see her tears.

  There was no point in staying any longer. Everything was clear.

  Arevik signed the document, placed the pen on the desk, and left.

  When the door closed, Hayk slowly lowered his shoulders and exhaled heavily. He approached the desk, picked up the document, and noticed that in several places it was damp.

  He understood why.

  He felt unbearably sorry for her. But there was nothing he could change now.

  As Arevik was leaving the main office, Anna entered the building. Seeing her tear-streaked eyes, Anna let out a deep sigh.

  “Is this what you chose, Hayk…” she said softly, heading toward the office.

  Anna entered Hayk’s office. He didn’t turn to see who had come in; in the reflection of the window, he could clearly see who it was.

  “The document is ready, you can take it,” he said, not turning toward Anna.

  “This document is useless,” Anna replied seriously. “You need to have it signed again.”

  At these words, Hayk turned sharply. His face flushed with anger, and his eyes seemed to fill with blood.

  “What do you mean ‘useless’?” he asked loudly.

  “The signature is smudged. I cannot accept it,” Anna said calmly.

  In fact, this wasn’t necessary at all, but Anna wanted to understand what Hayk had decided for himself. Perhaps, if she provoked him, he would at least admit something to himself.

  “Damn it, Anna, take this stupid document and leave me alone!” Hayk suddenly blurted out. “If it’s useless, throw it away. I’ll take responsibility myself.”

  “Oh, you’ll take responsibility yourself?” Anna smirked and was about to continue, but Hayk interrupted her.

  “Don’t continue, Anna, please. I feel terrible enough,” he said, approaching her.

  He took the document from her hands and noticed that the signature was indeed blurred with tears.

  “Sorry for raising my voice. I’m really struggling right now,” Hayk said quietly, pressing his hand to his chest. “The last time I was in such a state was when my parents died.”

  “I’m not upset with you,” Anna said gently. “You’re just trying to shield yourself from your feelings. Perhaps this is a chance to let go of your past pain.”

  “I don’t know how to fix this,” Hayk said, looking at her guiltily.

  “You need to rest and clear your mind,” Anna said, placing her hand on his shoulder.

  “You should have seen her terrified look when she ran from the garden…” Hayk said softly. “Maybe she hates me.”

  “I don’t know why she ran,” Anna replied. “But I can say with certainty: she’s upset with you right now.”

  “I know that,” Hayk said, lowering his head, then suddenly raising it. “Anna, please don’t make her go through this again because of this shameful document.”

  “All right, as you wish,” Anna said with a slight smile. “And what are you going to do now?”

  “You’re right. I need to sort out my thoughts,” Hayk replied.

  “Will it take a long time?” Anna asked.

  “I can’t be away for long. But I’m not sure it’ll be resolved quickly.”

  “Then leave detailed instructions. And please, check in at least once a week.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Hayk said with a barely noticeable half-smile, then added seriously: “Anna, don’t let her leave while I’m gone.”

  “And how do you imagine that?” Anna asked, holding back a smile. “If she decides to go, should I tie her to a chair and lock her in the archive?”

  Hayk sighed heavily.

  “I’m talking nonsense…”

  “Hayk, calm down,” Anna interrupted. “Sort out your thoughts. Everything will be fine.”

  “You’re right,” he said quietly.

  “Of course I am,” Anna said. “Now focus and write the instructions. Remember, you’re disappearing for an indefinite period.”

  “I’ll write them today and leave tomorrow. No point in delaying.”

  “All right. I’m going home. It’s late.”

  “I’ll leave soon too,” Hayk said.

  “Talk later,” Anna said and exited the office.

  Hayk sat at the desk and wrote detailed instructions for her. When he finished, he was about to leave them on the desk when he noticed the document signed by Arevik still lying there.

  He picked it up and stared at the blurred signature for a few seconds.

  Then he calmly crumpled the paper and, with a barely noticeable half-smile, tossed it into the trash. He put on his coat and left.